What should you know about Kalamazoo's weather?
- NWS office
- Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Climate
- Hot-summer humid continental
- Time zone
- EST/EDT
- Elevation
- 786 ft
- Coordinates
- 42.29° N, 85.59° W
- Nearest radar
- KGRR · Grand Rapids NEXRAD · 42 mi
- County
- Kalamazoo County, MI
- Yearly rain
- 33.2 in
- Warmest month
- July · 72.6°F average
- Coldest month
- January · 24.8°F average
- Severe storm peak
- May to Jul
How much rain does Kalamazoo get each month?
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F | 31.5 | 34.7 | 45.9 | 59.3 | 70.3 | 79.5 | 83.1 | 81.1 | 74.1 | 61.3 | 47.6 | 36.5 |
| Low °F | 18.1 | 19.5 | 27.3 | 37.7 | 48.7 | 58.1 | 62.0 | 60.4 | 52.5 | 41.9 | 32.5 | 24.2 |
| Rain (in) | 1.70 | 1.34 | 2.01 | 3.07 | 3.70 | 3.20 | 3.36 | 3.66 | 3.27 | 3.74 | 2.50 | 1.68 |
| Month | High °F | Low °F | Rain (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31.5 | 18.1 | 1.70 |
| Feb | 34.7 | 19.5 | 1.34 |
| Mar | 45.9 | 27.3 | 2.01 |
| Apr | 59.3 | 37.7 | 3.07 |
| May | 70.3 | 48.7 | 3.70 |
| Jun | 79.5 | 58.1 | 3.20 |
| Jul | 83.1 | 62.0 | 3.36 |
| Aug | 81.1 | 60.4 | 3.66 |
| Sep | 74.1 | 52.5 | 3.27 |
| Oct | 61.3 | 41.9 | 3.74 |
| Nov | 47.6 | 32.5 | 2.50 |
| Dec | 36.5 | 24.2 | 1.68 |
KALAMAZOO BATTLE CK INTL AP, MI US · 4 mi away · NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020
Why does the Kalamazoo weather radar fill with snow on northwest winds?
Because northwest winds line up Lake Michigan snow bands with Kalamazoo County. NWS Grand Rapids found that with winds from 305 to 325 degrees, the heaviest lake-effect area expands to include Ottawa and Kalamazoo counties along with Allegan and Van Buren. With a more northerly wind, from 325 to 350 degrees, bands come ashore from Saugatuck to South Haven and may reach as far inland as Kalamazoo. A wind with an easterly component keeps the lake-effect snow offshore.
What did the May 2024 Portage tornado do?
It cut an EF-2 path of around 11 miles across Portage and nearby townships on the evening of May 7, 2024. The tornado touched down near South 10th Street and West R Avenue and lifted north of East N Avenue just west of 31st Street. Many homes were severely damaged, including two mobile home parks. A large section of an industrial warehouse roof also collapsed near the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport. The Storm Events entry for Kalamazoo County records 12 injuries.
Has a tornado ever hit Kalamazoo itself?
Yes. NWS Grand Rapids lists the F-3 Kalamazoo tornado of May 13, 1980 among its event summaries. The Storm Prediction Center tornado database records 5 deaths, 79 injuries and a 10.6 mile path for it. Together with the 2024 Portage tornado, it shows that strong tornadoes do reach this part of Kalamazoo County.
How cold did Kalamazoo get in the January 2019 arctic outbreak?
Cold enough to break records. On January 30, 2019, the high at Kalamazoo only reached -1 degrees, breaking the record of 5 degrees from 1899. The next day the low fell to -18, and wind chills at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek airport dropped to -40 F. NWS Grand Rapids noted that areas along and south of I-94 took the full brunt as winds curved around the lake.
When should you check the Kalamazoo radar?
Storm peak
May to JulyAbout 63% of the county's 1996 to 2025 severe reports fall from May to July. Crowds at Bronson Park events check the loop on muggy afternoons.
Lake-effect season
Late fall and winterLake-effect bands can drop 2 to 3 inches of snow per hour while the sun shines a mile or two away. Drivers on US-131 toward Plainwell check the loop before they leave.
What else do people ask about the Kalamazoo radar?
Which NWS office and radar cover Kalamazoo?
NWS Grand Rapids (GRR) issues forecasts and warnings for Kalamazoo. The nearest NEXRAD radar is KGRR, about 42 miles from the city center.
How often does the radar on this page update?
The radar loop on this page updates every 5 minutes.
Is this page an official warning service?
No. It shows radar and forecasts only. For warnings, follow NWS Grand Rapids and local emergency alerts.
Quick facts
- Radar: KGRR (Grand Rapids NEXRAD), a new frame every 5 minutes
- Forecasts and warnings: NWS Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Severe storms peak from May to July (NOAA Storm Events, 1996 to 2025)
- Local time: EST/EDT
- Radar: KGRR, a new frame every 5 minutes
- Warnings: NWS Grand Rapids (GRR)
- Severe storms: May to July
- Local time: EST/EDT
Where does this data come from?
- NOAA NEXRAD radar via Iowa Environmental Mesonet
- National Weather Service, Grand Rapids office
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991 to 2020: KALAMAZOO BATTLE CK INTL AP, MI US
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database, 1996 to 2025
- USGS Elevation Point Query Service
- GOES-East satellite imagery
- Open-Meteo forecast API
- OpenStreetMap contributors
- NWS Grand Rapids: Wind direction and lake effect snow
- NWS Grand Rapids: May 7, 2024 severe weather
- NWS Grand Rapids: Event summaries
- Storm Prediction Center: Tornado database, 1950 to 2025
- NWS Grand Rapids: January 28 to 31, 2019 snow and extreme cold
- National Weather Service: Lake effect snow